Steaming apparatus



Del 4, 19 4- R. E. DAVIS ET AL STEAMING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 1, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet l I Y 25- f0 1 4 Maw Patented Dec. 4, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STEAMIN G APPARATUS Application November 1, 1930, Serial No. 492,788

2 Claims.

This invention relates to scalp and face steamers and is an improvement upon the apparatus disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,421,756, entitled Massage apparatus, and issued on July 4th, 1922 to Charles Amao.

At the present time steam treatments for the scalp are extensively employed in barber shops and beauty parlors for the thorough cleansing of the scalp and the treatment of unhealthy scalp conditions such as dandruff and falling and brittle hair. In carrying out the present methods, heated medicants, usually containing germicides and oils are first applied and rubbed into the scalp, the scalp is then subjected to steam, usually by the application of steaming towels. It is essential that the medicants be applied in a heated condition to enable the oily ingredients to be properly distributed into the pores of the scalp and to increase the effectiveness of the germicidal constituents. It is also essential to immediately and continuously apply the steam to the scalp before the medicants have cooled.

'It is an object of our present invention to provide an improved and highly eflicient apparatus adapted to properly effect the steaming of the human scalp or face without the local application of steaming towels, and operative to produce and apply continuously, steam at a substantially uniform temperature and volume.

Another object is to provide in steaming apparatus of the class described, a highly emcient steam generator utilizing, preferably, electricity as its source of heat and adapted to uniformly produce steam free from unevaporated particles of hot water.

Another object is to provide a scalp and face steamer wherein the entire apparatus, including a steam generator, float-controlled water supply and means for preheating the ampoules or vials containing medicants are conveniently associated and compactly mounted on a portable standard which also adjustably supports the hood or mask for directing the steam upon the scalp or face of the person treated.

In accordance with our invention, an electrically heated steam generator is supported on a portable standard and has communication with an adjustable hood or mask for directing the generated steam, and a source of radiant energy, such as a lamp or coil, is disposed within the hood for revitalizing the steam in direct application upon the scalp or face. Electrical connections or circuits are of course utilized and the conductors for the same are supported and mounted within and upon the standard and parts previously mentioned, suitable electric switches being provided on the standard for controlling the operation of the heating elements and source of radiant energy and all electrical circuits being supplied from a single pair of service wires which may be readily connected with a conventional household electric outlet or plug. The provision of means for supporting and heating the medicants and ingredients to be applied to the scalp at a point adjacent to the steaming hood is important and to this end we have provided on the portable standard an electrical heating means associated with a suitable support for vials or ampoules which further serves the function of a pilot light to indicate when the device is electrically connected with the conventional household source of electricity.

In the operation of the device disclosed in said herein identified U. S. Letters Patent No. 1,421,756, occasionally hot water would be discharged with the steam upon the scalp or face of the person treated, obviously producing scalding and discomfort. With our improved device this dangerous objection is obviated by the provision of a highly efficient steam generator which has means therein for preventing the surging or discharge of hot water or unevaporated particles and which is further supplied continuously with water through the medium of a float controlled mechanism.

The objects of our invention will be more fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a preferred embodiment of our portable steaming apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken longitudinally through the hood on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 6 is an electrical diagram schematically showing the electrical circuits for the heating elements and lamps.

As shown in the drawings, we provide a suitable portable standard S comprising a tubular upright 7 supported upon a series of (preferably 3) downwardly curved legs 8 which may be mounted on casters 9. A supporting post 10 is telescoped within the tubular upright 7 and is longitudinally adjustable relatively to said upright, which adjustment may be facilitated by means of a suitable friction clamping device mounted within the post 10 and controlled by an operating handle 11. At the upper end of post 10 a cross head or supporting bar 12 is rigidly aflixed, said cross head serving to support the steam generator, water supply container, vial holder and hood of our apparatus. Afiixed to one end of the cross head 12 is a funnel shaped support 13 adapted to holdan inverted water container 14 which, as shown, has a reduced neck 14a fitting within .the restricted or lower end of the funnel support 13. Said restricted end is closed at its bottom and is provided with a tap 14b which is connected with a pipe 15 to the steam generator, as shown, pipe 15 passing through the upper portion of post 10 and assisting in re-enforcing and supporting the steam generator and the funnel support 13. The neck 14a of the water container is provided with a cap 16 which has a central valve seat therein and which carries an inwardly projected valve cage 16a as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Avertical valve stem 17 is slidably mounted at its inner end in the cage 16a and projects or'depends from the cap 16, the lower extremity thereof being adapted to engage the closed bottom of the funnel support 13. -A valve 17a is affixed to stem 1'1 adaptedto engage the seat in cap 16 and a coiled spring 18 is interposed between the cage 16a and the valve 17a. The medial or shoulder portion of the container 14 is loosely telescoped within an enlarged portion of the funnel support and is adapted to be supported thereby when the float container is in lowered position. As shown, an ornamental metal cap 19 is removably supported upon the top of the inverted container 14.

Our steam generator is secured to and supported from the opposite end of cross head 12 disposedin substantially vertical alignment with tank 14 and comprises an annular boiler 20 defined by spaced cylindrical walls closed at their lower edges. This boiler is in communication with the water supply conduit 15 and is partially supported thereby. The upper end of boiler 20 is of cylindrical shape, forming an expansion or steam discharge chamber 20a. The walls defining annular boiler 20 are spaced a relatively short distance apart to restrict the volume of the tank and reticulated elongated flexible member, such as an elongated coiled spring 21 is spirally wound upon the inner cylindrical member of boiler 20 substantially restricting the interior of the steam generator and preventing the surging or bubbling of boiling water therein. One or two disks 21a of fine mesh netting are secured or if desired, loosely placed at the bottom of the steam discharge chamber'20a'of the boiler.

Annular boiler 20 defines an elongated socket or chamber 20b open at its lower end and within which suitable heating elements 22 and 23 are mounted, as shown, said elements comprising resistance coils mounted upon an insulating cylinder 24. Cylinder 24 may be aifixed to an insulated and enlarged plug 25 which carries the terminals for the electrical conductors and which is secured to the bottom of boiler 20 closing the socket 20b. Sheets of asbestos or other insulating material 26 are cylindrically or spirally wrapped about the exterior of boiler 20, and as shown, are housed within cylinder casing 27, which is provided at its lower end with an apertured cap 27a. A cap 28 closes the upper end of casing 27 and is secured thereto, said cap being bolted, riveted or otherwise secured to the cross head 12. A goose neck fitting or thimble 29 is clampedor otherwise secured to cap 28 and the top of boiler 20, said goose neck having its vertical end projected within the steam discharge chamber 20a'for communication with the boiler for the discharge of steam. An outer ornamental casing 30 surrounds casing 27 and is spaced therefrom by suitable means such as a series of circumferentially arranged spacing clips 29 aifixed to casing 27, said ornamental casing providing an air space and further insulating the boiler 20. The upper end of casing 30 is closed by means of a dome 31 which may detachably surround a bossed flange 30a. A lower cap 32% shown is secured or telescoped within the lower and flared end of casing 30 housing the insulating plug 25 and the electrical terminals and conductors 33 which are secured to said terminals.

Electrical conductors 33 may pass through and be concealed in a short sleeve 34 communicating with the interior of the hollow supporting post 10. Said conductors are connected to the contacts of three electrical switch mechanisms X, Y and Z respectively for controlling the electrical circuits, the circuits and connections being as schematically shown in Fig. 6.

Delivery end of goose neck conduit or thimble 29 extends through the dome 31 and has rigidly afiixed thereto a short conduit 35 carrying at its outer end a steam discharge fitting 36 from which the steam-applying hood 3'7. is supported. As shown, hood 37 is generally cylindrical having an open outer end and a recessed lower portion 37a which cooperate to accommodate the head or face of a person. The rear end of hood 37 is closed and is provided with a curved reflecting surface which, if desired, may be parabolic to more eiiectively project the rays of a source of radiant energy, such as the electrical lamp 38 which is mounted in a suitable socket 39 provided in the closedend of the hood. The lamp or source of radiant energy 38 is suitably connected with the source of electricity, including the service wires within tubular post 10 by suitable conductors which may be conveniently housed within a flexible conduit 39a, said conduit, as shown, extending between the rear of the hood and the upper portion of post 10 and the circuit including the switch mechanism X.

The steam discharge fitting 36 has a horizontal annular supporting flange 36a from which an upstanding centrally disposed steam nozzle projects, said nozzle including a rearwardly directed cowl 36b. At the rear of hood 37 the bottom is slightly cupped and apertured to receive the upstanding discharge nozzle which projects there- 130 through into the hood. A threaded clamping collar or nut 40 engages the projecting end of the upstanding nozzle member and clamps the rear andbottom portion of the hood tightly between itself and the supporting flange 36a. As. shown, this clamping collar has a cylindrical knurled surface by which .turning may be facilitated. The clamping collar 40 is also provided with radially extending drain apertures 40a which, when the collar is attached, are disposed in the cup portion of the hood and com municate with apertures through the projecting nozzle to return condensed steam or moisture to the steam conduit 35.

An efficient and ornamental'ampoule or vial support and heater is mounted on the top and medial portion of the cross head 12 disposed be-.

tween the water supply container and the steam generator. The support and heater, as shown,

comprises a circular base plate 41 which may be welded or otherwise rigidly secured to cross bar 12 and a supporting rack 42 is supported from base plate 41 and spaced thereabove by means of suitable spacing sleeves 43 through which securing means, such as bolts 44, extend to rigidly afllx the rack to said base plate. The annular rack 42, as shown, is provided with a series of circumferentially arranged apertures 42a, the apertured portions being adapted for cooperation with base plate 41 to hold a cluster of small vials or ampoules containing the medicants for use in treatment of the scalp. In the drawings one of said ampoules is illustrated, identified by the letter A. Centrally mounted within the ampoule support is an electrical socket 45 upstanding from base plate 41 and an electric lamp 46 which may be detachably secured in said socket, is disposed centrally of rack 42. This lamp serves to heat the cluster of ampoules or vials and the medicants contained therein, as well as to illuminate the same so that the diflerent ingredients can be quickly distinguished, and said lamp serves the further purpose of constituting a pilot light to indicate when the wires or conductors servicing the entire device are plugged in or connected with an electrical outlet.

Two or more towel holding clips 47 are circumferentially arranged and secured upon the exterior and medial portion of hood 37 adapted to yieldingly clamp and secure a towel or flexible skirt which is disposed around the sides of the head and face of the person treated.

' In Fig. 6 the several electrical circuits for our apparatus are schematically shown. 50 and 51 represent the line conductors. It will be noticed that the movable contact members of switch mechanisms X, Y and Z are connected in multiple with the line conductor 50. Switch X controls the revitalizing lamp 38 or source of radiant energy. Switch Y controls the operation of heating element 22 and switch Z independently controls the operation of heating element 23. When switches Y and Z are both closed, a third heat is produced from the accumulative effect of the two coils or elements 23 and 22. It will be seen that the revitalizing lamp 38 will be connected and disconnected independently of the heating elements 23 and 22. The combined pilot light and ampoule heating element 46 is shunted across the line conductors 50 and 51 and will obviously be illuminated whenever the service wires for the apparatus are connected with a source of electrical current, such as a conventional electrical outlet. The electrical heating elements 22 and 23, the revitalizing lamp 38 and the combined ampoule heating lamp and pilot light 46 are all supplied with electricity through a pair of service wires which may be encased within the usual electric cord 52 which extends from the rear side of the switch box portion of post 10 terminating in an electric plug or socket which may be connected with a conventional electrical outlet.

Operatbn port falls, the weight of container 14 will cause the container to drop. the shoulders thereof being supported by the flaring portion upon the support 13. This drop of the container causes the valve 17a to be opened discharging water into the lower portion of theiunnel support until the container is floated or buoyed up out of engagement with the restricted portion of the support whereafter the valve 17a will be closed.

The water within the boiler 20 is very quickly converted into steam by the emcient generator and there will be very little loss of heat through convection or radiation due to the structure of our generator. After the water reaches the boiling state, being restricted in the annular boiler 20, and further restricted by the spiral reticulated member on coiled spring 21, it will not surge or bubble violently causing unevaporated moisture or streams of hot water to be projected within the steaming hood. The boiling and surging tendency of the water is further restricted by the screens and nettings 21:! disposed in the bottom of the discharge passage 20a of the boiler.

Steam is uniformly projected into the hood 37 and it will be noticed that this steam is directed rearwardly against the reflecting surface at the rear end of the hood. This surface also comprises a deflector for uniformly distributing the steam about the scalp or face of the persontreated. The revitalizing lamp 38 or source of radiant energy again heats the steam, preventing condensation thereof as it is applied to the scalp, while preventing the temperature from being objectionable. The lamp can of course be independently controlled by means of its switch mechanism X.

The clips 47 provide a convenient and eflicient means for securing a cloth, towel or flexible sflrt about the iace or sides of the head of the person treated and this in cooperation with the open ended hood conflnes the steam and causes the same to be thoroughly distributed upon the scalp.

It will be observed that as soon as the electrical service wires within cord 52 are connected with a source of electricity that lamp 46 is illuminated. operating as a pilot light and serving to heat the cluster of vials or ampoules circumferentially disposed in the ampoule support or rack 42. Before steam is applied in scalp treatments the heated medicants within the ampoules are applied to the scalp and to this end it is desirable to have an ampoule heater and support connected with a source of electricity for the other electrical elements of our apparatus and furthermore disposed in juxtaposition to the steamer hood. We have accomplished these desirable objectives in the portable apparatus illustrated herein and have further utilized the lamp or heating element or the ampoule heater for indicating that the apparatus is connected with the source of electricity.

The hood 37 is readily removable from the steam discharge fitting 36 by unscrewing the clamping collar 40 and this is of especial advantage in shipping the device or in removing the nozzle for cleaning or replacing the same. It will further be noticed that the clamping collar, provided with the drain passages 40a, in cooperation with the cup and. clamped portion of the hood 37 effects the drainage of condensed steam and moisture in the rear and bottom portion of the hood.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that we have provided a complete and substantially self-contained device for steaming the scalp or face, all parts of which are compactly mounted on a portable stand and conveniently accessible for the purposes intended.-

It will further be seen that with our improved apparatus the danger and objectionable features of scalp and face steamers heretofore utilized have been obviated and an emcient and comparatively simple device has been provided especially adapted for commercial use in barber shops, beauty parlors and the like.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, proportions and arrangement of the parts, without departing from the scope of our invention, which, generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, and in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:-

1. Apparatus for giving scalp steaming treatments comprising a standard, a hood supported from said standard and adapted to loosely receive the scalp of a human head, said hood comprising a generally cylindrical casing extending substantially horizontally open at its forward end and open at its lower portion from said forward end to a point adjacent the rear thereof to accommodate the scalp portion and neck of a human head, the rear end of said hood being closed and forming on its interior a concave deflecting surface, a steam discharge nozzle mounted in the lower portion of said hood adjacent the rear thereof and directed toward said deflecting surface whereby discharged steam willbe prevented from directly contacting the scalp of the person treated, but will be uniformly distributed by said deflecting surface and the top of said hood against the area of such scalp and means-'for connecting said nozzle with a source'of'steam supply.

2. Portable apparatus for giving scalp steaming treatments comprising a portable standard, a steam generator secured to the upper portion of said standard and extending in upright position, a steam discharge conduit rigidlysecured to the upper end of said steam generator and supported thereby, a steam confining hood having an open forward end and an open lower portion extending from said forward end to a point adjacent its rear end, the rear of said hood being curved to form a concave deflecting surface in the interior thereof, said hood being rigidly connected at its lower and rearward portion to the outer end of said conduit and wholly supported thereby, said conduit terminating in a discharge nozzle 

